About three months ago, Israel carried out its most significant assassination since its victory in the Six-Day War: Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, was killed in a precise strike in the heart of the Dahiya neighborhood in Beirut. An investigative report published today (Sunday) by the New York Times, based on interviews with over 20 senior Israeli, American, and European officials—past and present—reveals the depth of Israeli intelligence’s infiltration into the Hezbollah organization.
Two Decades of Accumulated Intelligence
The comprehensive investigation highlights how Israel’s prolonged intelligence work over two decades achieved unprecedented success in tracking Hezbollah. Over the years, covert agents managed to plant listening devices in bunkers and monitor information about senior Hezbollah officials, including intimate meetings and hideout locations.
Precision Intelligence Operations
For example, during the Second Lebanon War in 2006, the Israeli Air Force used intelligence to strike Hezbollah’s missile storage sites and bunkers with precision. These operations included installing tracking devices on missiles, enabling the successful destruction of strategic targets.
A Turning Point in 2012
According to sources cited by the New York Times, a major breakthrough occurred in 2012 when Unit 8200, Israel’s signal intelligence unit, acquired crucial information detailing the locations of Hezbollah leaders, their hideouts, and missile stockpiles. This achievement bolstered the confidence of Israeli intelligence agencies, highlighting that if Prime Minister Netanyahu decided to act against Iranian nuclear facilities, the IDF would be prepared to neutralize Hezbollah’s retaliatory capabilities.
“The Beepers Operation”
Last week, details surfaced about the operation that captured the world’s imagination. In August 2023, Israel deployed booby-trapped devices embedded within Hezbollah’s ranks. For nearly a decade, Mossad managed to trick Hezbollah into purchasing Israeli military equipment and communication devices without raising suspicion.
In 2014, when Japan’s iCOM company ceased manufacturing IC-V82 communication devices, Mossad saw an opportunity to exploit Hezbollah’s demand for these devices, marketing them through gray market deals and online forums.
In September 2023, Israeli intelligence learned that Hezbollah had begun sending the devices to Iran for inspection out of fear of sabotage. Israel then activated the devices, causing chaos and ultimately killing dozens of operatives. This marked the beginning of a large-scale operation against the organization, culminating in the elimination of Nasrallah and a severe blow to Hezbollah’s military capabilities.
Netanyahu’s Decision to Eliminate Nasrallah
After the success of the beeper operation, intelligence revealed that Nasrallah had relocated to a more fortified bunker. On September 26, just before Netanyahu’s departure to the UN General Assembly, a meeting with top security officials was held, where the decision to eliminate Nasrallah was made without informing the U.S. The following day, Netanyahu approved the operation hours before his speech. Nasrallah, who ignored advice from close associates to move to a safer location, was killed in an Israeli strike while 12 meters underground.
Israel’s actions not only eliminated Hezbollah’s leader but also significantly damaged the organization’s capabilities. Senior defense officials described the operation as a milestone in the fight against terror and a testament to Israel’s strategic strength.
